COBE Advisory Council Constitution

CONSTITUTION
ADVISORY COUNCIL
FOR THE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS
RADFORD UNIVERSITY

The mission of the Advisory Council is to provide advice, guidance, and support for the continuing development of high quality business programs at Radford University.

ARTICLE I (Name)

This organization shall be known as the Advisory Council for the College of Business and Economics (aka, the COBE Council).

ARTICLE II (Membership)

Section 1. The Council shall have a maximum of sixty voting members. Individuals shall be nominated by a majority of the Executive Committee and elected by a majority vote of the Advisory Council members attending any regular meeting.

Section 2. Members may be appointed to renewable three-year terms with new appointments becoming effective at the next meeting of the Council and renewed appointments each year, effective July 1.

Section 3. Expectations of membership on the Council include but are not limited to a request for attendance at four of the six Council meetings within a three-year term; contributions of time or in-kind service to the college; service on a committee of the Council; and, the recognition that Council members represent the college to the larger community. It is mandatory that each COBE council member make some amount of monetary gift to COBE each fiscal year,July 1-June 30, so the council will have 100% yearly donation participation.

Section 4. The ex-officio members of the Council shall consist of the following: The President; the Provost; the Vice President for University Advancement; the Dean, Associate Dean, Department Chairs, MBA Director and Council Coordinator.

Section 5. An emeritus status of membership shall be a non-voting membership used to recognize individuals retiring from regular membership on the Advisory Council who have provided distinguished service. Individuals shall be nominated by a majority vote of the Executive Committee and by a majority vote of the Advisory Council members attending any regular meeting. Emeritus members are permanent members of the Advisory Council.

Section 6. An honorary status of membership shall be a non-voting membership used to recognize individuals who have provided distinguished service to the College of Business and Economics and to encourage involvement by key constituent groups. Individuals shall be nominated by a majority of the Executive Committee and elected by a majority vote of the Advisory Council members. Honorary members are permanent members of the Advisory Council.

ARTICLE III (Purpose)

Section 1. The general purpose of the Council shall be to provide advice, guidance, and support for the continuing development of high quality business programs at Radford University. The Council’s role is advisory to the Dean and faculty in promoting leadership in business.

Section 2. It is anticipated that the Council will assist in promoting the professional image of and good relations for the College of Business and Economics with the larger business community. More specifically, the Council shall assist the College by:

a. Providing advice and counsel to the Dean and faculty on all pertinent matters that affect the college, internal as well as external, to best relate the college and its programs to the changing needs of the business community.

b. Supplementing the existing career counseling and placement services to increase the availability of job opportunities to undergraduate and graduate business majors, including communication between business people and students to acquaint students with challenges and opportunities.

c. Providing the faculty opportunities for meaningful business engagements, short-term employment in responsible positions, and other relationships and programs with the business community, including providing research support for faculty members by assisting in gaining access to or by creating databases and, if appropriate, providing research grants.

d. Sharing the special insight and expertise of business executives through classroom presentation or other meeting situations, executive-in-residence programs, executive to student counseling and faculty consultation.

e. Assisting the College in acquiring the resources necessary to continue its development as a leader in the education of business majors by taking an active role in private fund-raising activities.

ARTICLE IV (Officers)

Section I. The Chair and the Vice Chair of the Council shall be elected by the membership upon the recommendation of the Executive Committee. These officers may not serve more than two consecutive one year terms.

Section 2. The Chair shall preside over all meetings of the Council, shall have and exercise general control and supervision over the affairs of the Council, shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Council are carried into effect, shall be a member of all committees of the Council with voting privileges, and shall perform other duties and exercise other powers as may be assigned to him or her by the Council. The Chair shall chair meetings of the Council and Executive Committee and work with the Dean in formulating the agenda.

Section 3. The Vice Chair shall serve in absence of the Chair.

Section 4. The Dean of the College of Business and Economics shall appoint the Council Coordinator.

Section 5. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Chair of the Advisory Council, the Vice Chair of the Advisory Council, the chairs of each of the working committees as well as the Dean of The College of Business and Economics. The Executive Committee shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Council as necessary. A simple majority of the Executive Committee shall have the authority to act for the whole Council on all matters not in conflict with the Constitution or bylaws.

ARTICLE V (Meetings)

Section 1. Recognizing that individual members of the Advisory Council will be contacted throughout their term for advice on specific issues, the Council will only meet formally in the spring and fall of each year on dates established by the Chair in consultation with the Dean. Committees, as defined by the Executive Committee, will meet during part of the general meetings and on other dates as appropriate. The format of meetings will generally be open and informal to maximize discussion.

Section 2. For the Council as a whole and for Executive Committee, a quorum shall consist of those members present at any called meeting. All called meetings shall be announced at least two weeks in advance.

ARTICLE VI (Amendments)

Amendments may be added at regular meetings of the Council upon approval by two-thirds of the members present provided the members have been sent a copy of the amendment prior to the meeting.

ARTICLE VII (By-Laws)

By-laws may be adopted by a majority vote of the members present at any Council meeting. The By-laws must be consistent with this Constitution.